Davids relishes Masry tie

DAR ES SALAAM: SIMBA Head Coach, Fadlu Davids has expressed confidence in his team’s readiness for the upcoming quarter-final clash in the CAF Confederation Cup after Simba was drawn against Egypt’s Al Masry.

Speaking after the draw, Davids acknowledged the tough challenge ahead, particularly against a strong Egyptian side that has been performing well in the domestic league.

“Every match in this competition is going to be tough and Al Masry is no exception. They have been in great form in the Egyptian League and we know the challenge will be intense when we play away from home, but we are ready for the fight,” Davids said.

The coach stated that the quarter-final stage of the league is likely to be extremely difficult and Simba will be seeking to capitalise on their home fixture in Dar es Salaam, where Davids believes they will have an advantage. “We are fortunate to play the second leg at home, which gives us a slight advantage.

The support of our fans is crucial, and we will need to capitalise on that,” Davids explained.

He also highlighted the importance of a strong, focused approach, especially in the away leg.

“When you play away from home in this competition, you have to be mentally prepared. It’s not just about skill, but about resilience, teamwork and a clear strategy,” he added.

Coach Davids also commended his charges for finishing first in their group but stressed that the quarterfinals would need even more effort and they are prepared to give it their best to advance to the semifinals stage.

“We are ready to take on Al Masry and fight for a spot in the semi-finals. It’s a crucial match for us and we will give it everything we have got,” he concluded.

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This marks the second time the two teams have clashed in the Confederation Cup. Their previous encounter came in 2018 during the first round of the competition, when Al Masry eliminated Simba despite the two sides drawing 0-0 in Egypt and 2-2 in Dar es Salaam.

The Egyptians advanced on the away goal rule, sending Simba out in heart-breaking fashion. If Simba advance, they will meet either Egyptian giants Zamalek or South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC in the semifinals.

Simba record against Zamalek also holds historical significance. The two teams first met in the 2003 CAF Confederation Cup qualifiers, where Simba won 1-0 at home but lost 1-0 in Cairo.

The tie ended in a 1-1 aggregate draw, with Simba emerging victorious in the penalty shootout, winning 3-2 to advance to the group stage.

Other quarterfinal fixtures in the CAF Confederation Cup include Asec Mimosas of Ivory Coast taking on Berkane of Morocco and an all-Algerian clash between CS Constantine and US Alger. The winners of these two matchups will face off in the semifinals.